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Two distinct environments and four different skill sets make the Semester on the Borders a great way to get off campus and have the time of your life while still earning college credit.
Photo: Doug Demarest |
There's no doubt about it, this is one of the most geographically diverse semesters at NOLS. Your adventure will begin in the Southwest desert, a land of cactus and javelina, and as winter subsides you will move north, concluding in the lush Pacific Northwest with its snow-covered peaks and forested islands.
During the only spring semester that combines both desert travel and maritime skills, you’ll experience a wide variety of adventures that will allow you to be a well-rounded wilderness traveler on land and sea.
You’ll begin at NOLS Southwest in Tucson, Arizona for a Wilderness First Aid course, backpacking and climbing, and then transition to NOLS Pacific Northwest outside Seattle, Washington for sailing and sea kayaking. From scaling a rock wall in Arizona to slicing through the waters of British Columbia, you’ll learn a lot and have the time of your life. By visiting these two very different regions in North America, you’ll see just how versatile the NOLS curriculum is.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies and is essential for anyone spending extended time in the outdoors.
Backpacking
You’ll begin your wilderness expedition in the rocky Galiuros Mountains that rise abruptly from the Southwest desert. Designated wilderness since 1964, this land of rugged cliffs and brightly colored rocks will be where you learn the essentials of backcountry travel.
Rock Climbing
Arizona’s Cochise Stronghold promises warm, sunny weather and enough climbing routes to keep you roped up and cranking hard. The area’s tall domes make it an ideal base from which to learn top-roping, climbing movements and even multi-pitch skills.
Sailing
The coastal sailing section takes place in the northern reaches of the Strait of Georgia and Desolation Sound in British Columbia, Canada. You’ll learn how to sail and navigate 36-foot sailboats, each carrying a group of students and an instructor. On-water classes include boat handling, charts, coastal navigation and seamanship.
Sea Kayaking
You’ll paddle the remote waters of British Columbia’s central coast on this section, visiting pristine sandy beaches, majestic fjords, ancient moss-covered rain forests, remote islands and sea caves. At the same time, you’ll learn a range of technical skills, from basic to advanced sea kayaking strokes to weather awareness and knowledge of tides and currents. Whales, sea lions and wolves are just a sample of the wildlife you could see on this amazingly wild waterway.
Semester on the
Borders
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| Duration: |
86 |
| Age |
17 and Over |
| Tuition: |
$11,500 |
| Financial Aid Options: |
NOLS Scholarships
Federal Financial Aid |
| Dates: |
Feb. 14-May 9, 2008
WFA, Backpacking, Climbing, Coastal Sailing, Sea Kayaking
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College Credit:
(Optional) |
16
Semester Credit Hours
2 Hours Biology
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
4 Hours Leadership Techniques
6 Hours Skills Practicum
2 Hours Risk Assessment
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| Course start/end: |
Tucson,Arizona/Conway, Washington |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$700 |
| Fly in/out: |
Tucson, Arizona/Seattle, Washington |
| Downloads: |
Course Description
(pdf)
Equipment List
(pdf) |
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Next Steps
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Related Courses
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